Weymouth, MA As demand grows for more skilled workers in the construction and finishing trades, the Union of Painters and Allied Trades District Council 35 (IUPAT DC35) and the Finishing Trades Institute of New England (FTI NE) are working hard to meet the needs of the industry by training the best painters, glaziers, and tapers in the business. 

On May 10, 50 apprentices graduated from a program offered by the FTI NE. These skilled apprentices received their diplomas at the ceremony surrounded by friends, family, and their brothers and sisters in the union trades. 

Five apprentices received special recognition as “Apprentices of the Year” for their exemplary dedication to learn, train, and support fellow students. Apprentice of the Year Scott Barrus of Weymouth, said, “It’s a really big accomplishment. I know I’ll have a huge career ahead of me because of this training that’s behind me.”

“As the construction industry in Boston booms, we at IUPAT DC35 want to make sure that we train workers to continue to be the best in the finishing trades industry. These apprentices are the future of Boston, and now they are ready to build it as well,” said Jeff Sullivan, Business Manager of IUPAT DC35. 

The FTI NE runs a college-accredited apprenticeship program through IUPAT DC35. The apprentices receive college credits for their academic work during the program, which they can utilize to pursue an associate’s degree. 

“Every year, we have talented and hard-working apprentices coming out of the FTI NE’s accredited apprenticeship program through IUPAT DC35. These graduates are trained and ready to join the workforce,” said Eric Redding, Director of Training at FTI NE.

The FTI-NE apprenticeship program, which is more than 50-years old, graduates exceptional apprentices to the painting and allied trades every year, making IUPAT DC35 the standard of excellence in the industry. The program encompasses training for commercial and industrial painters, drywall finishers, glaziers, architectural metal workers and sign and display workers.

IUPAT District Council 35 is an organization of approximately 4000 members in Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, and Rhode Island affiliated with the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades. District Council 35 is committed to serving the interests of members and those unrepresented workers who hope to join. The DC35 is determined to continue to ensure the best wages and benefits in the industries. The organization’s mission is to represent members for purposes of collective bargaining, to organize workers in a variety of occupations, and to advocate for workers and their families.